Section
People & Life
Everyday life, work and school. The voices of people connected with Ukraine.
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Lake Synevyr: The Carpathian Lake Whose Area Runs From 4.45 to 7.58 Hectares With the Water Level
Lake Synevyr, high in the mountains of Zakarpattia Oblast in western Ukraine, is usually described as the largest lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. But the lake's area itself ranges from 4.45 to 7.58 hectares depending on the water level, and the figure "29 ha" sometimes quoted for it is actually the area of the Ramsar-listed wetland, not the lake. This article traces where the numbers come from, how the lake was formed, and the legend behind its name.
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Over 200 km in One Source, Over 260 km in Another: The Gypsum Maze of Optymistychna Cave
Optymistychna Cave, underground in Ternopil Oblast in western Ukraine, is a maze-type cave whose passages spread in a net-like pattern along cracks in a gypsum layer. Its length has been given as over 200 km in a 1996 paper, over 240 km in a 2013 government regulation, and over 260 km in a 2022 encyclopedia entry, and even calling it "the world's longest gypsum cave" comes with conditions about what is being compared. This article traces where the figures come from, the nearby caves, and how the site is protected.
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Some Borrow at 3%, Others at 7%: Ukraine’s Mortgage Program “ЄОселя”
Ukraine's government mortgage program “ЄОселя” began in October 2022, and 28,579 loans had been disbursed by September 15, 2026. Service members, medical workers, teachers, researchers, and, from July 2026, war veterans, pay 3% a year; internally displaced people and other citizens pay 7% a year. Both the borrower and the home being bought must meet conditions on citizenship, floor area, and the building's age.
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Features of Ukraine’s Education System | From Kindergarten to University, and Underground Schools
Ukraine has a reputation for producing many talented people, so you might wonder what kind of education makes that possible. This time, we explain the features of Ukraine’s education system. There are many differences from Japan, such as music schools for children and continuous education, so if you’re interested in education, please read to the end. Education at Ukrainian Kindergartens Kindergarten education in Ukraine places emphasis on early childhood education. Ukraine has a distinctive kind of educational institution not found in Japan: music schools (art schools) for children. Music Schools…
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Local Japanese Classes, and Free Japanese-Language Materials With Ukrainian Support
There are three main places to learn Japanese: local Japanese classes, Japanese language schools, and online materials. This article covers how to find a nearby class, the free courses Tsunahiro, Irodori, and NHK's course that come with Ukrainian explanations, training for job seekers, and the Settlement Support Program available to those recognized as persons eligible for complementary protection.
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Driving on Japan’s Roads Requires Converting a Ukrainian License
The international driving permit Japan recognizes is the one under the 1949 Geneva Convention, and Ukraine is not a party to that convention. To drive in Japan, you need to convert a Ukrainian license into a Japanese one. This article covers the conditions tightened in October 2025, where to get a translation, and how documents are handled for people who evacuated.
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How Vaccinations a Child Received in Ukraine Are Counted in Japan
Japan's routine vaccinations are administered by municipalities, and are covered by public funds for children in the eligible age range. Vaccinations received in Ukraine may be counted toward this, based on records, at a doctor's judgment and with a parent or guardian's consent. This article lines up the differences between the two countries' schedules and how to prepare records and questionnaires.
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How Ukrainian Diplomas, Degrees, and Medical Licenses Are Treated in Japan
People who have completed Ukraine's 11-year school system are eligible to apply to Japanese universities, under a designation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. For graduate school, the general benchmarks are “16 years of schooling” or “a bachelor's-equivalent degree from a course of 3 years or more,” but the final decision rests with the institution applied to. Working as a doctor or nurse starts with an eligibility certification from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (as of September 2026).
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Tokyo: an Essay and Interview. Kanagawa: Three Subjects. High School Entrance Exams for Students From Abroad
Some Japanese prefectures set up separate public high school entrance exams for students who need Japanese-language support. Tokyo holds an essay and interview in either Japanese or English, while Kanagawa gives an exam in English, Japanese (kokugo), and math with furigana readings added. Completing 9 years of schooling in Ukraine meets the eligibility requirement for entering high school (as of September 2026).
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Ukraine Only Takes Air Mail and EMS: The Conditions for Letters, Parcels, and Money Transfers
Japan Post resumed air mail and EMS to Ukraine in May 2022, and as of September 2026 surface mail and SAL are still not available. Some areas, including Crimea, cannot be reached, and noodles and canned goods cannot be sent as parcels. Sending money is generally unrestricted, but bank checks can take time.